Orange Peel at the Pool

The neon orange swim trunks hung from my hook like a radioactive warning sign. Mom bought them on sale, saying they'd help me stand out at Jordan's pool party. They definitely would.

I hadn't been to a pool party since seventh grade, when I did a belly flop off the diving board that echoed like a gunshot. Three years of avoiding pools, water parks, even beach trips. But Jordan was different—she actually texted me first.

You're coming, right?

Now here I was, standing in the bathroom, gripping the sink like it was a lifeline. My reflection showed exactly what I feared: pasty skin, zero muscle definition, and those neon orange trunks that screamed I DON'T BELONG HERE.

Bullshit.

The word bounced around my skull. That's what Tyler called everything. Tyler, who'd definitely be at Jordan's, ripped and confident and probably doing canonballs off the roof. Whatever I was nervous about? That's bull, he'd say, adjusting his flat-brim hat.

But was it?

I grabbed my phone. Jordan had posted an update: party starting! everyone's here!!

My thumb hovered over the text saying I couldn't make it. Something about having to help my grandma. Too easy, too believable.

Then I caught my reflection again. The orange trunks. They looked ridiculous and brave and everything I wasn't.

I grabbed an orange from the counter on my way out—the peel would give my hands something to do.

At Jordan's, the pool glittered blue and perfect. Tyler was there, of course, doing a backflip off the diving board while everyone cheered. Music thumped. Girls in bikinis clustered in the shallow end, whispering and laughing.

Then Jordan saw me. Her smile was real.

You made it!

I realized my fingers were stained orange from the peel. Tyler caught my eye and did that chin-nod guys do when they're acknowledging someone exists. Not mocking. Just acknowledging.

The pool didn't look like a monster anymore. It looked like blue water under a fading sun.

I peeled the last section of orange and tossed it in the trash. Then I jumped in. The shock of cold water felt like waking up.